I work as a clerical assistant in a pediatric dental office, and I am commonly surprised by the number of children who are scared of the dentist. Many kids think that cleanings will be painful, and they believe they will be scolded for eating sugary foods. Children are also extremely frightful of the noises made by the water spraying tools and the suction devices. As adults, we know that dental cleanings are easy and free of pain. We need to impart this knowledge to our children so they know not to fear the dentist. I have provided blogs that will help you speak with your child about dental care. Good communication, trips to your own dentist, and online videos can assist you. So will good brushing techniques that will make your child proud to see the dentist. Enjoy my articles so you can help your child build oral care confidence.

Teaching Your Children About the Dentist

Over The (Molar) Hill: What You Need To Know About Dental Health In Your Middle-Aged Years

10 May 2016

Alfred Kelley

You may think that the most important time in life to take special care of one's dental health is during one's childhood years, when dental habits are formed and permanent teeth grow in. But while dental health is certainly crucial at that age, adults in the middle of their life – somewhere between the ages of 40 and 60 – have their own set of concerns that they should pay special mind to. If you're middle-aged and are wondering exactly how you should best take care of your teeth, then here's what you need to know.

Save the teeth you have

You never know how much you need something until it's gone – and that goes double for your teeth. Adults on average, have around 3 teeth that are either missing or have decayed to the point of being in danger of falling out. If you fall into the category of missing teeth, talk to your dentist about getting implants, bridges, or even dentures, which will improve your bite and speech and will prevent bacteria from festering in the open gum. If you're concerned about keeping the rest of your teeth healthy during the day, try chewing sugar-free gum to help reduce decay, and limit the amount of sugary drinks you consume.

Be soft on your gums

As you get older, both the chance of gum disease and of gum receding go up, so you'll want to take extra good care of (and be extra soft on) your gums. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your gums in the morning and at night will help keep them bacteria-free, preventing nasty problems like gingivitis. Brushing gently rather than quickly or with a lot of pressure will prevent your gum line from receding as well, leaving you with a smile that is both picture-perfect and extremely healthy at the same time.

Get your checkups

It's easy to forget to see the dentist in your busy life, especially if you have children who you'd rather get in to have their teeth checked instead. But just because your teeth are old, rather than new, is no reason to skip seeing the dentist. Not only will your teeth get clean and taken care of, but you can also talk to your dentist about any risk factors or problem areas that you need to take care of in your dental health. Remember, preventing problems is much, much easier (and much cheaper) than curing them.